Entry requirements
At Kent we consider all applications on their individual merit and welcome students from Japan with a wide variety of qualifications and experience. Please note that some departments may have slightly different entry criteria.
If you have any specific queries or questions please contact us at international@kent.ac.uk
Foundation programme
Students who have successfully completed their Kotougakkou Sotsugyou Shomeisho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with a final grade of at least 3.5/5, 7/10 or equivalent are eligible to apply for our foundation programmes.
We offer two types of foundation programme which enable progression onto a wide range of our undergraduate degrees: the International Foundation Programme (IFP) and 4-year integrated programmes which include a foundation year:
- The International Foundation Programme (IFP) is for international students whose school-leaving qualifications are insufficient for direct entry to undergraduate study and/or whose English language standard is below the necessary level. The IFP gives you a year’s preparation in academic subjects, English language and study skills up to the required level for progression onto undergraduate degree study. The IFP is delivered at our Canterbury campus by University of Kent academics and successful completion of the programme provides entry into a wide range of Bachelor degrees in our faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences. We offer September and February start dates depending on your chosen pathway and the degree you intend to progress on to.
- We offer 4-year integrated programmes which include a foundation year in Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Computer Systems Engineering, Electronic and Communications Engineering, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Pharmacology and Physiology, and Physics. These are designed for students with acceptable English language ability but school-leaving qualifications below the level required for direct entry to an undergraduate degree. Entry to these foundation programmes may require you to have studied specific subjects at high school.
Please note: you only need to take a foundation programme if your qualifications are not suitable for your chosen degree.
JYA English PLUS
JYA English PLUS has been designed to meet the needs of students whose first language is not English. It offers a combination of language training, study skills and the opportunity to study academic modules from across the University. The programme is offered in two different lengths – a full year or part year – and is taught on our Canterbury campus, a safe, self-contained environment with everything you need for a good academic and social life. Find out more...
Undergraduate
To be considered for entry to Year 1 of a Kent undergraduate degree programme, Japanese students typically need to have completed one of the following:
- One year of a Bachelor degree (Gakushi) at a recognised Japanese university with an average grade of B/70%, or a GPA of 3.0/4.0
- Associate Degree (Jun-gakushi)/Vocational/Specialist Degree (Senmon-shi) from a recognised college in Japan with a final grade of B/70% or a GPA of 3.0/4.0
Second year entry
Students with very high grades in their Associate Degree (Jun-gakushi)/Vocational/Specialist Degree (Senmon-shi) may be considered for 2nd year entry to a Kent undergraduate programme on a case-by-case basis, if they have studied similar content to Year 1 of the relevant Kent degree.
Postgraduate
For entry to a Kent postgraduate degree programme (Master’s), Japanese students typically need to have completed a Bachelor Degree (Gakushi) from a recognised Japanese institution. Exact requirements will depend on the postgraduate degree you are applying for and the institution you have studied at.
- For programmes that require a 2:1 we usually ask for a final GPA of 3.2/4.0, a B+ or 75%. Students from highly ranked institutions may be accepted with a GPA of 3.0/4, 70% or B.
- For programmes that require a 2:2 we usually ask for a final GPA of 3.0/4.0, B or 70%.
Some, but not all, postgraduate programmes require your undergraduate degree to have a related major. Some postgraduate programmes may require work experience in a relevant field or at a certain level.
MBA
For details of our MBA programme, please see the MBA course page.
PhD
For entry to a Kent PhD programme, Japanese students typically need to have completed a Master’s Degree (Shushi) at a recognised institution with a final grade of at least B+/75% or a GPA of 3.2/4.0. Students need to have completed a thesis as part of their Master’s or be able to show other evidence of previous research experience.
If you would like to pursue a PhD at Kent, you should visit the relevant department website and our find a supervisor page to identify potential supervisors for your research and thesis. You are encouraged to then make direct contact with the appropriate academic to discuss your research proposal.
The University has three PhD entry dates during the academic year: September, January and May. Entry to a Master’s by Research is in September only.
English language requirements
Applicants will also need to meet University of Kent's standard English language requirements. These are set at a level that meets both the academic needs of the University and the minimum requirements for a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Applicants for the International Foundation Programme or pre-sessional English programmes are required to have a UKVI recognised SELT (Secure English Language Test). These must be taken at one of the UKVI approved test centres.
Applicants for postgraduate programmes who have studied to at least Bachelor’s degree level entirely in the medium of English or who have worked in an English speaking environment may be considered for exemption from standard English language requirements on a case-by-case basis. A letter confirming the medium of instruction of English will be required.
Pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
If you need to raise your English language skills, you can attend one of our intensive pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes. Satisfactory achievement on one of these courses can be used to meet Kent's English language entry requirements in place of other external language examinations.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
For the latest details on fees, see our course fees look-up table.
Funding
The University offers a wide variety of financial support and scholarships, including awards for academic, musical and sporting excellence. Scholarships include our International scholarships for undergraduate students and International Scholarship for Taught Masters Students.
For details of all the scholarships available, please use our scholarship finder.